This is one of the pages of the sci.lang.japan Frequently Asked Questions.

Top: Introduction and Contents >> 7. Word meanings

7.6. What is yamato kotoba?

Japanese has a huge number of loan words (in Japanese, gairaigo) from Chinese, and many pseudo-Chinese words invented in Japan using Chinese elements. Yamato kotoba (大和言葉) means Japanese words which are not Chinese, pseudo-Chinese, or other loan words. Yamato is an ancient name for Japan (see 6.5. What are the names of Japan? ) and yamato kotoba implies the ancient Japanese language without any loan words.

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